Appeal begins to keep the Fairy King

Fairy King

Published:19:00Thursday 23 February 2017

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Visitors to Rushmere Country Park are being urged to support a crowd-funding appeal to raise funds to buy the park’s latest addition – a large wooden sculpture of The Fairy King – so it can remain as a permanent fixture at the park.

Located outside the Herons’ View Visitor Centre, The Fairy King arrived at the park last November, along with several woodland fairy sculptures which were displayed within the park forming a temporary Festive Fairy Trail enjoyed by many over the festive holiday period.

While the woodland fairies have now disappeared, the king remains and environmental charity The Greensand Trust, which runs the park, wants to raise the money to buy the sculpture, keeping it at the park for visitors to enjoy all year round.

Gill Welham, Chief Executive of The Greensand Trust, said: “The Festive Fairy Trial held at the park over Christmas proved extremely popular among visitors of all ages.

“We hope visitors to Rushmere will donate to help us secure the Fairy King so he can remain in his spot at the start of our popular Sculpture Trail where he can keep an eye on the fairies living behind the fairy doors.

“We’re sure he will quickly become synonymous with the park, just like the Giant’s Chair.”

The trust is aiming to raise £1,500 following a substantial discount on the original price offered by the sculptor Ian Freemantle as his contribution to the campaign.

To make a donation visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/keep-the-king. Incentives on offer include the chance to meet the sculptor and a listing on a permanent memorial of those who donated – all are dependent on the amount given. Donors have until Monday 20 March to donate via crowd-funding.

The Fairy King and the woodland fairy sculptures were all created by Stony Stratford-based woodland sculptor Ian Freemantle, who also created the park’s Giant’s Chair. Ian’s work has a style of its own with a vein of the mystical realm running through it. Using the natural contours and the strength of the grain, he brings individuality to each sculpture he produces. For more information on Ian and his distinctive work visit www.ian-freemantle.co.uk